· Thrush · 3 min read
Perimenopause and Thrush: why it keeps coming back (and what you can do)
Recurring thrush in your 40s? It’s likely linked to perimenopause. Here’s why symptoms return — and how to stop the cycle with personalised naturopathic care.
The frustrating cycle no one warned you about You treat it. It goes. It comes back. Sometimes within weeks. Recurring thrush can feel like a game of whack-a-mole — and for many women in their 40s, it’s not just frustrating… it’s exhausting.
What’s often missed? In perimenopause, these symptoms aren’t always caused by an infection. They’re often influenced by shifting hormones.
Thrush symptoms vs. hormonal changes Thrush is usually linked to Candida — a type of yeast that naturally lives in the body. The problem arises when that balance is disrupted. And during perimenopause, that happens more often than most women realise.
As oestrogen levels fluctuate and decline, it affects:
- Vaginal pH — becoming less acidic, which reduces protection
- Moisture levels — leading to dryness and irritation
- Good bacteria — especially Lactobacillus, which normally keeps yeast in check That means symptoms like itching, burning, and discharge may feel like thrush, but actually stem from changes in the vaginal environment that aren’t being addressed by creams alone.
Why it keeps coming back If you’ve tried over-the-counter treatments and your symptoms keep returning, it’s not that you’re doing anything wrong. Your body is responding to deeper shifts — and it’s asking for something more supportive.
Recurring thrush during perimenopause can be linked to:
- Declining oestrogen and mucosal thinning
- Changes to the vaginal microbiome
- Past antibiotic or Pill use
- Unmanaged stress and immune disruption
- Gut imbalances influencing vaginal health
What can actually help? Instead of repeating the same treatments, here’s what makes a difference:
- Clarity — Functional testing to understand your hormonal and microbiome patterns
- Individual support — Herbal, nutritional, and lifestyle tools tailored to your needs
- Confidence in your body — Support that acknowledges your experience and works with, not against, your biology
You deserve more than just symptom relief. You deserve a care approach that sees the full picture.
How I support women like you If you’re struggling with recurring vaginal symptoms, you’re not alone — and it’s not all in your head. Many of my clients come to me after months or even years of stop-gap treatments that never really solved the problem.
In our work together, we:
- Talk openly (no embarrassment here)
- Run appropriate testing to see what’s happening
- Build a personalised plan that respects your stage of life and supports true recovery
“Declining oestrogen levels change the vaginal environment in ways that can make women more vulnerable to recurring symptoms.” — Dr. Anna Cabeca, DO, FACOG
If this is something you are experiencing, why not book a free, confidential chat so we can see if naturopathic care is right for you. Go to https://bit.ly/RadianceWithAlison and book today.
